● New integration plugins for 3D CAD software, such as AutoDesk Inventor 2018, Blender, FreeCAD, and OpenSCAD
● New settings backup plugin to save your settings in the cloud. Use your preferred settings across multiple platforms in different locations, or showcase your settings to multiple users.
● Smoother search for settings in custom mode.
Continue reading to learn more about the feature highlights:
Plugin Updates
Toolbox. The plugin browser has been redesigned into a toolbox, featuring graphical elements to provide more information about available plugins.
Cura Backup. Upon installation, settings, materials, and plugins in Ultimaker Cura can be backed up to the cloud. Create an account on our encrypted secure server, use your Ultimaker Community login account, and store your configuration settings anywhere in the world, anytime, anywhere.
Back up your settings to the cloud and access them anytime. Showcase your preferred settings to multiple users in your office, workbench, studio, or classroom.
AutoDesk Inventor Integration. Open AutoDesk Inventor files (parts, assemblies, sketches) directly in Ultimaker Cura.
Blender Integration. Open Blender files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
OpenSCAD Integration. Open OpenSCAD files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
FreeCAD Integration. Open FreeCAD files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
OctoPrint Plugin. A new version of the OctoPrint plugin for Ultimaker Cura.
Slicing Engine Upgrade
Infill Support. When enabled, infill is generated only when needed, and a specialized support generation algorithm is used to create internal support structures for the part. Optimizes infill material usage and shortens print time.
Generate infill only in areas requiring support, shortening print time.
Print outer perimeter before holes. Reduce the risk of removing the hole perimeter from the print bed when the print nozzle moves by prioritizing the outer perimeter. This setting should only be effective if outer layers are printed before inner walls.
Control Retraction. New options provide better control over retraction:
Maximum combing distance, no retraction. When set to a non-zero value, travels longer than this distance will use retraction to maintain optimal nozzle pressure for better print quality.
Maximum combing resolution. The combing process maintains a minimum length of 1.5mm to prevent buffer underrun, for better print quality.
Avoid supports during operation. Added setting to avoid supports during travel moves. Minimizes the risk of the print nozzle hitting the printed support material, improving print reliability.
Support wall line count. Added configurable setting for the number of walls to print for supports.
UFP modifier mesh. Modifier meshes appear in UFP image previews shown on the Ultimaker S5 screen and in the Cura Connect queue. This has been fixed so it can be ignored.
Cross infill image. Import images to control cross infill and cross infill density. Note that the percentage of infill density may need to be adjusted to be visible.
UX Interface Enhancements
Anonymous data sharing. The "Send anonymous data" pop-up disable button has been changed to a "More information" button, with options to enable or disable anonymous data and view specific data shared.
Setting filter timeout. For better performance, the setting filter now triggers on input or after a 500ms timeout.
Auto-select model after import. New preference setting for the behavior of selecting newly imported models.
Event measurement. Increased logging during specific events, including startup time, file load duration, number of items on the print bed during slicing, slicing duration, and performance when moving items on the print bed. This data can be used to test the performance of different machines.
Setting error helper. Possible configuration file errors, such as incorrect and duplicate files in material or quality profiles, are automatically detected and reported in a pop-up window. Messages are stored to prevent the same errors from occurring in the future.
Upgradable bundled resources. Multiple versions of bundled resources can now be installed: bundled version and downloaded upgrades. If the software is upgraded, the bundled version will not be loaded. If it does not exist, Ultimaker Cura will revert to the bundled version.
Third-party printer and stability fixes
New printer definitions have been added for Felix Tec4 printer, Deltacomb, and Rigid3D Mucit.
Ultimaker Cura 3.4 includes numerous bug fixes for a high-quality user experience:
Blank file name. If a blank file name is sent to Cura Connect, Ultimaker Cura reports it as sent but it does not appear in the Cura Connect queue. Blank file names are now detected and set to "unnamed" to prevent this.
Print job name re-slicing. Fixed the behavior where print job names revert to the original name during re-slicing.
Naming Curaproject. Fixed an error related to two "curaprojects" in the file when saving a project.
Ultimaker S5 pauses at height. Fixed an error where the Ultimaker S5 Z-motor stopped powering, causing the print bed to lower due to gravity when pausing at height in scripts.
Message box style. Fixed errors related to message box styles, such as buttons in the "Send data" pop-up overlapping with the progress bar.
Filament diameter line width. Adjusted filament diameter to calculate line width in the GCODE analyzer.
Korean translation. Fixed errors in the Korean translation.
ARM / Mali systems. Fixed the graphics pipeline for ARM / Mali systems.
Discard/Retain. Fixed an issue where custom settings did not provide a "discard or retain" dialog when changing material.
No GCODE USB. Fixed cases where printers did not support GCODE when the USB slot was open.
For a complete list of fixes in this version, check the release notes or open Ultimaker Cura 3.4 and navigate to Extensions > Changelog > Show Changelog.
Free Download
Special thanks to our community contributors, fieldOfView, jwalt, ohrn, ngraziano, smartavionics, BagelOrb, and thopiekar.
Download Ultimaker Cura 3.4 and get the best performance from your 3D printing workflow.
Provide us with feedback on this release by joining the discussion in our community of 3D printing experts.
Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52657-high-performance-3d-printing-with-ultimaker-cura-34